Georgia’s Parliament Prepares for Tougher Gambling Laws

Georgia’s parliament is set to introduce new taxes and restrictions for gambling operators as part of their ongoing crackdown on the industry, according to SBC News.

The move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to regulate the sector, following a decree signed by PM Irakli Garibashvili in 2022 that prohibited individuals under 25, socially vulnerable citizens, public employees, and those blacklisted by courts or self-restricting from all gambling activities. Additionally, the government sanctioned a total ban on gambling advertisements in state media and increased taxes on gambling companies.

Currently, Georgian lawmakers are working on introducing additional licensing for online gambling operators, with a new permit costing $36.9 thousand.

In addition, they’re also planning to ban ship-based casinos.

George Mamulaishvili, the head of the Georgian Gambling Association (GGA), stated that representatives of the gambling industry were not notified in advance of the impending legislative changes.  Despite this, GGA members hope to attend parliamentary hearings to express their views. Mamulaishvili also noted that the latest legislative innovations would require gambling companies to optimize their spending.

Despite protests from the Georgian Gaming Association (GGA), the authorities are determined to continue reforming the sector in line with European Union standards. The crackdown has led to the proliferation of unlicensed operators in the Georgian market, but the country aims to become an EU member and is keen to demonstrate its commitment to European regulatory practices.

Despite the challenges, operators in Georgia transferred a record $287 million to the budget in 2022.